Back Street Blue

Depends what we mean by "the Northern Soul scene"? There are four distinct era's and generations of youths as I see it, The 60's lot, the 70's, 80's....and the current young souls, (excluding the over 40' newcomers based on age). Common denominators are the music the club culture, dance styles and the collectors. Differentials could be the fashion and the extent of the digging? ....Then there's the question of what constitutes being a mod? Being a bit of a hybrid,( my own youth began on the tail end of the early 70's "scene" and ran into the the begining of the 80's era....so I was too young to be a 60's mod and too into new rather than retro fashions to be a Quad' Mod. Don't recall many Mods of either ilk being around "the scene"in my youth. The original Wheel boys from our way got to an age and hung their boots up, the original early 70's lads did the same. In my experience, a lot of the early 70's boy's background was bootboy rather than mod. The continuity seems to stem from the clubs and the guys providing the music and the evolution of the same. To me, the core of the scene as I understand it, is the club culture and the music, rather than the variants of tribal styles of those who have populated it over the years. So my own little perspective is that the Mods, 60's or Quad, are not responsible for what I understand to be the NS scene per se, but the 60's Mods were the pioneers of the club culture and of the appreciation of "deep soul with a dance beat", (to quote RS), which were subsequently adopted and reinterpreted by the succeeding generations.

Mick Malone (Oldham) blew his brains out on a made to measure whistle with big f*ck of baggy kex....by the time it was ready for collection, late '77, we'd all gone straight-leg jeans....and he never wore it!!! Disagree that the funkateers wore high street stuff they were more cutting edge fashion victims and the 0xfam shops were supplying some of them with "vintage" stuff.

.....The way you were sweating Martin.....anybody would have thought it was your round!!!

Don't know, that's where I heard it....could be Mecca originally? Will try and find out.

Think '76 was when we heard it at Wigan....don't know by who or when it was first played.

That Minnie Jones & the Minuettes sounded really nice...never heard it before. Really, really enjoyed that set mate and sorry you're gonna hang your "boots" up.....(not boot-legs obviously)....real shame.

One of my favourites,Wigan sound (to me anyway) again not really a monster but I never hear it out... Duke & Leonard - just do the best you can

Still got my "looky - likey - Rika" so some poor bootlegger must've got their fingers burned.

Danny White - cracked up over you ...Not heard that for a while?

Forgotten....maybe not a monster...maybe more of a Mecca/Ritz sound.... Fabulous Jades - come on and live

The musicians create the platform which showcases the vocals... I can't stomp to Accapella (sp?)... But learned to dance via Earl Wright...Davis & Tyler...Just Bros...Billy Preston...Righteuos Bros Band etc. To my mind, what the great instrumentals may lack in soulful vocals, they make up for in having a certain atmoshphere or vibe that gets you. Always loved 'em.

Great pictures thanks Mr Smith. Much brighter than I remember it....when they opened the doors the light used come streaming in and hurt your eyes....or did I imagine that? As to the fashion....these were taken long after the days of the bags...."we" were wearing straight leg jeans by '77....well us trendy Lancashire lads were! Kev H is right....you did mostly face the stage when you were dancing....never really thought about that.

Great pictures thanks Mr Smith. Much brighter than I remember it....when they opened the doors the light used come streaming in and hurt your eyes....or did I imagine that? As to the fashion....these were taken long after the days of the bags...."we" were wearing straight leg jeans by '77....well us trendy Lancashire lads were! Kev H is right....you did mostly face the stage when you were dancing....never really thought about that.

R.I.P. Jimmy Ruffin...farewell

Used to go to Brighouse regularly in the Tony Banks era (90's) and up to early naughties....great venue....and far superior to it's name sake in Manchester since the latter's refurb. Sam used to be on quite regularly. Not been for ages as it turned into the local "grab-a-granny" and ended up brawling on last two trips. Would be a shame if it went though and I hope Pete (Casper)can keep it up and doesn't suffer from the local beermonsters.

Spoilt for choice in Sheffield already Ben as you can see from the above posts.

....And whilst we're off-topic thinking of kicking off a fisherman's tales thread in FB ....And back on topic....how hard was taking on Mark Addy's lads on Dover Lock (well it's near Wigan)?

Nah.........more of a Northern Monkey really

....Wealth of information in the hands of the membership of this site....check out Chalky's web site...loads of Stafford tapes and info', think Jumpin' Joan put up the list of 80's venues a few months ago....Jocko was writing and producing a "periodical" around that time when Albrighton was in full throw....Middleton and Droylsdon got going in the NW, the Burnley lads were bang at it with Butch on the decks at their alldayers.....Leeds Central and Clifton Hall in Yorkshire.... You've got your work cut out mate!!

...Used to see Buper at the revived Wheel before it moved from Whitworth Street and have seen Matchy at Davy's in Sheffield. Steve Ceasar (spelling?) Also a legend as far as I'm concerned

Knitware was big early 70's too. Slazengers and sleeveless V-necks (hated tank-tops with the U-neck) Then came the "Football" cardies which were like knitted American college jackets with 2 bands on the sleeve and jester jumpers. Then the twin sets with Argyle golf or herringbone pattern. Had to make do with acrylic snides off the market 'til my older sister discovered "Reaction Boutique" in Oldham, then I could borrow her skinny rib Sterling Cooper crew-necks which gave me that sprayed on tight fitting look....wearing them in the niter also gave me terminal acne...my spotty back looked like a dot to dot map of the London Underground!!

I'm well thanks Manus and still doing my sweatiest b*stard impression at the odd event and even throw in the odd maia geri jodan mid stomp....still not ready to leave the temple though!!!

Don't think that as a general style there was any MA influence, reckon it was "Slone" dancing and the artists that set the template...got a photo of a young Jackie Wilson doing a rock 'n roll backdrop somewhere. As to the way that people interpreted the music individually,those who were into MA incorporated it into their "routine" as a trick just like others did with acrobatics. That said my experience was that the high kickers were actually in the minority.

Watched the DVD twice....on the money....didn't think "R'Lisa" deserved a kicking....real as real can be in Rochdalean. Steve Cougan's impression of a Cardinal Langley careers teacher struck a chord too. Authentic right down to the snake belt and as dark and wet as I remember it growing up in Lancashire. It will be interesting to hear what people with no particular interest in Soul or the period make of it. Loved the dismissal of the youth celebrating winning the dance competition and the Butlins reference....but the best dancers did enter the competitions at that time and were proper faces...not a niggle just an observation. Hope it gets the financial reward that such a Herculian effort deserves.

I've had value for money if I've heard the right stuff at the appropriate volume in the right atmosphere with a proper dancefloor (I.e. Dancefloor is big enough and good surface). As a punter the prices and asthetics are less of an issue personally. That said, I'm going to hear quality underplayed ovo in an atmospheric old school style venue with a good dancefloor and mega cheap bar in Sheffield that is now getting the numbers it deserves...for £3.00 on Saturday. Inner Soul...worth a much higher door charge.